i would do the same thing ......save the old fuel and find some one who heats with oil and give it to them to heat with ...that way you get fresh fuel and some one gets to stay warm .....that way everybody wins......How long can treated diesel fuel be trusted? Most of the 15 gallons in the tank is from 2012 and was treated. Unless I can be convinced otherwise, I think it needs to be replaced before the engine is started later this month.
Thanks.
drain some in a jar... if it looks a bit cloudy, remove it.... if its clear, burn it in the motor.How long can treated diesel fuel be trusted? Most of the 15 gallons in the tank is from 2012 and was treated. Unless I can be convinced otherwise, I think it needs to be replaced before the engine is started later this month.
Thanks.
agree...You might be surprised. I work for a guy who collects old motor coaches. I've seen him buy a coach that has been sitting for over 25 years, put in fresh batteries, and fire up the engine with the fuel that was put in before the bus went out of service. The engine ran normally on the old fuel. I don't know that I would recommend this for your boat, but diesel is much more stable than gasoline.
Here is a recent report on diesel fuel taken from an 5,000 liter underground fuel tank which supplies a standby generator. The tank was last filled in 2008. The tank shows no water and only has an atmospheric vent so air movement is minimal.Most of the 15 gallons in the tank is from 2012 and was treated.
Here is just another opinion but unless fuel is contaminated (as others have suggested take a sample) treated fuel from 2012 will be OK. Diesel has a very long "shelf life" if not contaminated by other sources. If you want to error on side of caution get it polished as others have suggested. Myself personally if sample looks OK would not worry about it. I would however change filters after it is used (something that should be done regardless only because if the fuel is that old presumable the filters are at least the same age if not older ? ?). May want to check or change filters before using the fuel anyway. I have personal used treated fuel that was four years old and with no problems. Maybe more important is do you expect to use it all shortly or will you be keeping it for a extended time ?How long can treated diesel fuel be trusted? Most of the 15 gallons in the tank is from 2012 and was treated. Unless I can be convinced otherwise, I think it needs to be replaced before the engine is started later this month.
Thanks.
I bought a diesel fuel pump at Advance Auto for recirculating old fuel. You could use one of those to pump the tank dry, pulling the old diesel through your filter. Easier than getting to a buried tank. Pump into some 5 gallon cans, and clean the filter when finished. When finished, plumb the pump in more permanently for polishing anytime.I have an Oceanis 311 and unfortunately some water HAS got into the diesel. I am wondering how to drain off the contaminated fuel. The tank is under the floor of the cockpit can only be reached- with difficullty- from the aft cabin. It is impossible to get a syphon down the inlet pipe as it has a 90 degree bend in it. The normal feed to the engine has a vertical lift - presumably the end of this is off the bottom- and hence above any water! Is there any other way of accessing the tank to drain it completely and get rid of the water?
I had the same situation with my 323. I disconnected the fuel line at the Racor and used a cheapie oil change pump to transfer the fuel to a five gallon container. The fuel still looked good but had been only partially used over five years. The guys in the marina shop use an oil heater, so I was able to give to them.I have an Oceanis 311 and unfortunately some water HAS got into the diesel. I am wondering how to drain off the contaminated fuel. The tank is under the floor of the cockpit can only be reached- with difficullty- from the aft cabin. It is impossible to get a syphon down the inlet pipe as it has a 90 degree bend in it. The normal feed to the engine has a vertical lift - presumably the end of this is off the bottom- and hence above any water! Is there any other way of accessing the tank to drain it completely and get rid of the water?